Arsenal’s admiration for Rio Ngumoha shows no sign of fading, even as Liverpool push to secure the teenager’s long-term future at Anfield.
Mikel Arteta’s side are believed to be huge admirers of the 18-year-old, who has been linked with a possible move to the Emirates Stadium in recent weeks.
The Gunners’ pursuit comes at a time when their options out wide have thinned.
Arsenal are in the market for a new left winger in 2027 having tried and failed to sign Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior over the summer, with no direct replacement arriving for Gabriel Martinelli.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are working to close the door on any approach. The club remain in talks to extend Ngumoha’s contract beyond 2028, playing down rival interest from Arsenal for the 18-year-old winger.
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Liverpool are set to accelerate those talks in a bid to tie the winger down for the long term, with several clubs monitoring his situation.
Reports on the state of those negotiations have not been entirely consistent.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein and transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, there is no agreement in place as it stands, though there is no suggestion the player is unhappy.
Other outlets have reported that Liverpool and Ngumoha’s camp have already struck an agreement in principle, with talks continuing to turn that into a formal, binding deal.
Amid that uncertain backdrop, Ngumoha has spoken publicly for the first time about his experience under Liverpool’s new head coach.
Speaking to reporters while on England duty ahead of the Three Lions’ Nations League fixtures, the winger made clear he is settled at Anfield despite the transfer talk surrounding him.
“The gaffer at Liverpool has really been helpful,” Ngumoha said. “And all the coaching staff as well – I can’t speak highly enough of them.
“But I’m enjoying it. I’m playing left wing, right wing as well. So it’s given me another tool to destroy defenders.”
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The 18-year-old, who is naturally a left winger, has been deployed by head coach Andoni Iraola on the right flank twice this season, a switch he credits with making him less predictable.
Ngumoha has not registered a goal contribution in any of his five appearances across all competitions so far this season. He has not started a Premier League match since Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle United on the opening weekend of the campaign.
Ngumoha made his senior England debut in a friendly against New Zealand before this summer’s World Cup, and could now win his first competitive cap when England open their Nations League campaign against Spain at Wembley on Saturday.
Ngumoha’s current Liverpool contract runs until 2028, having signed his first professional deal in September 2025.
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